In this CDC Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant success story, we looked at how the Utah Department of Health partnered with schools and local health departments to create healthier school environments and address childhood obesity.

In this CDC Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant success story, we looked at how the North Carolina Division of Public Health partnered with Wake County Human Services, North Carolina’s Eat Smart, Move More, and faith-based communities to address obesity and other chronic diseases among African Americans in Wake County, NC.

In this CDC Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant success story, we looked at how the Alabama Department of Public Health partnered with Auburn University at Montgomery to create a department-wide workforce development program for its staff.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how the Michigan Youth Violence Prevention Center at the University of Michigan School of Public Health developed and implemented the Youth Empowerment Solutions (YES) program to empower youth to affect their communities in positive ways and modify the environmental conditions that contribute to youth violence.

In this CDC Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant success story, we looked at how the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control’s Region 7 Public Health Office partnered with a local nonprofit organization to implement a program that promotes tobacco-free policies in homes, vehicles, and faith-based settings.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health used funding from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) State Innovation Model (SIM) Initiative to enhance their Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Project, which helps pediatricians better meet the needs of children and youth with behavioral health issues.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how the University of Arizona College of Family Medicine’s Department of Family and Community Medicine worked to increase access to health services through their Mobile Health Program.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how the Johns Hopkins University Center for the Prevention of Youth Violence implemented a community-wide youth violence prevention strategy throughout Baltimore.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how the University of California, San Francisco Department of Family & Community Medicine’s Program in Woman-Centered Contraception is developing evidence-based tools and resources to help support women in making decisions about family planning services.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.1 The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that all adults ages 50 to 75 get screened for the disease.2 But in 2015, only about 62% of adults in the United States were screened according to the guidelines.3

Falls are the leading cause of fatal and nonfatal injuries among older adults aged 65 years and older.1 But falls aren’t an inevitable part of aging—and that’s the premise behind the STEADI (Stopping Elderly Accidents, Deaths, and Injuries) Initiative from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how Kentucky Homeplace developed a colorectal cancer component for their community health worker program to improve the health of rural Kentuckians.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how the Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine incorporated a social determinants of health approach into its medical school education.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how The Coordinated Approach To Child Health (CATCH) Texas program improved health behavior among children through the promotion of physical activity and healthy food choices.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how Tooele City, UT implemented the Communities That Care (CTC) program to mobilize community engagement around youth substance abuse issues.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how University of South Carolina Prevention Research Center implemented Sumter County on the Move! to promote more adult physical activity in its community.

Tooth decay (also known as caries or cavities) is one of the most common chronic health conditions affecting children in the United States.1 American Indian and Alaska Native children have especially high rates of tooth decay; the rate for American Indian and Alaska Native children ages 3 to 5 is 43%—more than 4 times the rate for white children.2

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how Kokua Kalihi Valley Comprehensive Family Services implemented the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's Healthy Heart, Healthy Family program to promote heart healthy behaviors and lifestyles.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how the Community Healthcare Network integrated HIV testing and counseling into routine medical care for underserved populations in New York City.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at the University of Chicago Medical Center's Urban Health Initiative's South Side Healthcare Collaborative, a network of more than 30 community-based health centers, free clinics and local hospitals on the south side of Chicago, who partner to help residents make a long-term connection with a primary care physician.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how the University of Rochester Medical Center partnered with Lifespan to implement a program to reduce the risk of suicide among older adults.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how the St. Louis Integrated Health Network implemented the Community Referral Coordinator Program to improve access to primary care.

Underage alcohol use (also known as underage drinking) is a serious public health problem in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), young people abuse alcohol more than any other drug—and more than 4,300 young people die from alcohol-related causes each year.1

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC), managed by the Bonney Lake Police Department, developed a comprehensive Child Passenger Safety (CPS) program focused on preventing injuries and deaths involving children under age 15.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department implemented the Live Tobacco-Free Austin campaign to raise awareness about the burden of tobacco use, promote cessation services, and educate the public about the impact of secondhand smoke.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how the Boston Public Health Commission’s HIV Dental Ombudsperson Program increased access to oral health services for people living with HIV/AIDS.

In this CDC Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant success story, we looked at how the Allen County Health Department partnered with the Lima Memorial Health System to start a comprehensive training program to improve the standard of acute stroke care provided by emergency medical services and Emergency Department staff.

In this CDC Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant success story, we looked at how the Barron County Department of Health & Human Services partnered with Barron County Safe & Stable Families Coalition to address the problem of underage drinking in their community.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and partners implemented The Bronx Knows to to raise awareness for HIV testing, make HIV testing more accessible, promote testing as a routine part of medical care, and improve linkage of people diagnosed with HIV to appropriate medical care.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how the International Association for Indigenous Aging implemented the 1,000 Grandmothers Project to engage Native elders in reducing the rate of Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how the Kansas City, Kansas School District implemented a comprehensive school reform initiative, First Things First (FTF), to combat low graduation rates and to improve academic performance.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how ClearWay Minnesota collaborated with others, including the Minnesota Department of Health, to pass legislation that banned smoking in public places.

In this story from the field, we take a look at how the Minnesota Academy of Pediatrics Foundation engaged the Somali immigrant community to provide increased access to early childhood developmental screenings.

In this story from the field, we take a look at a Texas organization committed to working with refugee populations to address the diverse cross-cultural issues that arise in relocating to the United States.

In this story from the field, we take a look at a Virginia organization that addressed community health by developing partnerships with local businesses, physicians, and schools to promote healthy behaviors in their community.

If you ask Mark LoMurray what he likes most about his job, he doesn’t have to think about it much. “Watching young people find their voice,” he says, “sometimes in as little as 3 or 4 hours. We often have kids who can barely say their name at the beginning of an activity, and by the end they’re standing up presenting ideas that they’re proud of. It’s just really amazing to watch that happen.”

High school graduation is an important predictor for overall health outcomes. High school graduates have less chance of being in prison, greater financial stability as adults, and fewer health problems.1

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how the Marathon County Alcohol & Other Drug Partnership launched the Pushback Against Drug Abuse initiative to reduce drug and alcohol abuse in its community.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how Project Extra Mile worked to prevent underage alcohol consumption and reduce alcohol-related harms through evidence-based policies and practices.

Here are some troubling facts: babies born in the United States are about 3 times more likely to die in their first year than babies born in Finland or Japan—and the United States ranks last among 26 developed countries for infant mortality.1 In 2014, more than 23,000 U.S. babies died before their first birthday.2

Prescription opioids continue to factor significantly in the epidemic of deaths from opioid overdose in the United States. In 2016, more than 46 people died each day from overdoses involving prescription opioids.1 In addition, more than 1,000 people a day are treated in emergency departments for not using prescription opioids as directed.1

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how the Communities Healing Adolescent Depression and Suicide (CHADS) Coalition for Mental Health helped schools in North St. Louis County, Missouri implement the SOS Signs of Suicide Prevention Program, a program to prevent suicide among adolescents.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how the St. Louis Integrated Health Network implemented the Community Referral Coordinator Program to improve access to primary care.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how The Arizona Partnership for Immunization is increasing the number of fully immunized children, adolescents, and adults across the state.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how the PROSPER Network Organization, Partnerships in Prevention Science Institute worked to implement evidence-based school and family programs to address youth substance abuse.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how the San Diego County Childhood Obesity Initiative worked to reduce childhood obesity by creating healthy environments for all children and families through advocacy, education, and policy development efforts.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how the Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative worked to reduce preterm births & improve perinatal and preterm newborn outcomes throughout Ohio.

Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic conditions affecting children in the United States. When it’s not treated, tooth decay can cause pain and infections–and may interfere with a child’s ability to eat, talk, learn, and play.1

In this CDC Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant success story, we looked at how the California Department of Public Health and California Project LEAN worked to limit access to sugar-sweetened beverages and increase water intake in school settings.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how the Minnesota Oral Health Program worked to improve adolescent oral health across Minnesota through increased access to school-based dental sealants programs.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how the California Tobacco Control Program implemented tobacco control policies throughout the state, resulting in decreased tobacco use and reduced secondhand smoke exposure.

In this CDC Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant success story, we looked at how the Hawaii State Department of Health partnered with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Lanakila Health Center in Honolulu to provide language-appropriate and culturally sensitive health services to newly arrived immigrants.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how the Kentucky Department for Public Health implemented Healthy Babies Are Worth the Wait™ to reduce preterm birth rates in Kentucky.

In this CDC Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant success story, we looked at how the Virginia Department of Health partnered with the Virginia Department of Aging to improve access to community workshops aimed at helping people manage a chronic health condition.

Exposure to secondhand smoke causes significant health problems in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), secondhand smoke harms both children and adults—and the only way to completely protect people who don’t smoke is to eliminate smoking in all homes, work environments, and public places.1

In this CDC Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant success story, we looked at how Eat Smart Move More Kershaw County and the City of Camden involved residents and worked to meet national Complete Streets standards to help Camden, SC become a safer and healthier community.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how Maryland Office of Oral Health worked with partners to convene a Dental Action Committee (DAC) to improve the oral health of Maryland's children.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how the Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program uses a comprehensive approach combining evidence-based policy and programs to address tobacco use across Massachusetts.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how the Partnership For A Tobacco-Free Maine worked to promote tobacco-free living and reduce exposure to secondhand smoke across the state.

In this CDC Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant success story, we looked at how the Georgia Department of Community Health, Division of Public Health partnered with community groups to offer training and certification in how to recognize stroke symptoms and give patients fast, appropriate treatment.

In this CDC Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant success story, we looked at how the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services’ Injury Prevention Program and the New Hampshire Falls Risk Reduction Task Force worked to decrease the risk and incidence of falls among adults aged 65 years and older.

Exposure to secondhand smoke contributes to the deaths of 41,000 nonsmoking adults and 400 infants in the United States each year.1 Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at higher risk for serious health conditions, including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and respiratory diseases. Smoke-free environments are vital to children's health and well-being, yet close to 40% of U.S. children ages 3 to 11 are exposed to secondhand smoke.2

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how the New Mexico Department of Health implemented a prevention campaign against binge drinking and alcohol-impaired driving among adults in New Mexico.

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States—every year, it’s responsible for 480,000 deaths.1 While smoking is on the decline in the United States, more than 2,500 young people smoke their first cigarette each day.2 In fact, 9 in 10 adults who smoke say they tried their first cigarette before age 18; and nearly all tried their first cigarette by young adulthood.3

In this CDC Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant success story, we looked at how the Arkansas Department of Health implemented an exercise program to help older adults lose weight, feel better, and reduce the impact of heart disease and stroke.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how the Texas Department of State Health Services implemented the
Enhanced Comprehensive HIV Prevention Planning Project to reduce new HIV infections, link people with HIV to care and treatment, and reduce HIV-related health disparities.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at how the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals’ Office of Public Health implemented the Nurse-Family Partnership, a home visitation program for low income, first-time pregnant mothers and their babies to improve maternal and child health.

In this Who's Leading the Leading Health Indicators? story, we looked at the Empowering Our Spirits Initiative, a program developed by the White Mountain Apache Tribe to reduce Apache youth suicidal behavior.